Officer Candidate School prepares qualified enlisted personnel for the rigors of officer duties. The program for the rigors of officer duties. The program paves the way for their eventual commission, though they must still earn this promotion through exemplary service, strength of character, and successful completion of their one-year cadet cruise.

Potential students must score high on the Starfleet OCS Application Test, obtain a recommendation from a faculty member or Starfleet officer, and have passed POLT 105 Federation Law, STAR 305 Command Indoctrination Seminar, and STAR 410 Starship Command. The Starfleet Sciences Department accepts a limited number of applicants to the OCS program each semester.

The eight-week OCS program is physically and mentally demanding. Students undergo physical training to strengthen the mind and body. All cadets share quarters in the dormitory and train as a unit to acquaint themselves with personality dynamics.

The main program consists of two intense seminars, each running four weeks. Students may elect to take additional courses through the Academy during this period with the consent of their faculty advisor, though no off campus excursions may interfere with the advanced school seminars.

STAR-A 425. Duty and Responsibility Issues

This course covers advanced issues of serving as a Starfleet officer. Comparative discussion of the responsibilities to those under one's command, duty to one's fellow officer, and upholding the requirements of one's station under duress. Students participate in lectures and discussions on leadership training and styles of command. Frequent roleplaying officer interaction with student evaluation. Examination of Starfleet mission reports for leadership issues. Students must demonstrate an understanding of the material and pass an interactive evaluation by the instructor.

STAR-A 450. Command Interaction

Four weeks of simulated intense duty shifts aboard a holographic Saber-class light cruiser. During their shifts students may not leave the holographic simulation, although they wish. Instructors assign officer duties and observe interaction during an extended series of simulated missions. Realistic simulations include managing exploration, patrol, escort, rescue, scientific, and diplomatic operations, some drawn from actual Starfleet mission reports. Instructors ask students for self-evaluations during the postcourse debriefing.